Free Appaloosa Blues (Sisters of Spirit #8) by Nancy Radke Page B

as a stag, vibrant with good health, alive with energy. And if she had problems with her breathing when she was this far away from him, then she was in deep trouble if they decided to go through with a mock engagement. She'd lose her heart, while Adam would stay untouched. Somehow she had to avoid committing herself.  
    "Johnny," Adam directed, "drop those posts in the holes I've dug so far and tamp them in." He turned to Mike. "We're going to have to build a couple of free-standing posts for this stretch. The ground is solid rock."
    He led Mike over to look at where he had gathered some broken poles they could use to build the bottom of a pyramidal type post.
    "Next time call before you put your bull in that pasture and I'll yank mine out," Adam said.
    "I thought you said you were moving him Friday."
    "Next Friday."
    "Next? But you told me on Thursday."
    "That would've been this Friday."
    "You're right. I'll call next time." They both laughed.
    Adam turned to Jo, his eyes still dancing. "Bring the tool sack, would you?"
    The request pulled Jo out of her state of shock and she hurried over carrying the gunnysack of tools.
    Maybe she was prejudiced against Adam. She had unquestionably assigned the fault for the bulls to him. Had she misjudged him in other ways?
    She handed him the sack. He took it, then caught her hand before she could withdraw, turning it over to check the scratches from last night.
    "How do they feel?" he asked, looking at them, and she hoped he didn't notice her pulse racing under the sudden contact.
    "Fine. Not any worse than a day of Loganberry picking."
    He grinned. "Still do that?"
    "Sure."
    She stepped back and he released her, jiggling the sack in his other hand.
    "Up to riding?"
    "Of course."
    He smiled, jigged the sack again as if going to say more, then nodded and turned to his work.
    Jo sat on a stump near Adam's dog and watched as the two men set to work building an open pyramid out of three poles, with a solid board bottom, to act as a fence post. The bulls had failed to destroy several of the existing posts of this kind and Adam had already repositioned them.
    The men moved in harmony with little wasted motion. All three were athletic and well-built, with the broad shoulders and narrow hips of horsemen. They handled the heavy posts with ease, moving with a grace and strength Jo admired.
    She took advantage of the opportunity to concentrate on Adam. Although younger than Mike, he was the natural leader, good humored yet decisive, orchestrating the efforts so that they functioned as a team. Under his direction the work progressed swiftly and without hesitation. They brought enthusiasm to their job, working with zeal at the type of labor they loved, outdoors and with companions whom they respected.
    As they worked, they discussed Karen's plan and the possibility of changing Gramps' attitude. Mike admitted he could think of nothing better and was fulsome with his recommendation of Jo. "She's the only one of us who can pull it off."
    "That's for sure. So you're going to do it, Jo?" Adam cast her an inquiring look, his challenge like a thrown rope—with a noose on the end.
    "I don't want to. Not particularly."
    "Why not?" Adam lifted his chin sharply, his eyes narrowing. "Afraid of what Gramps will say? That sounds familiar."
    "I'm afraid we might stir up something we can't handle."
    "You willing to let Karen and Johnny try instead?"
    Commitment, like a lasso, settled on her shoulders. "No. No, I'll do it. I just don't want anything bad to happen."
    "Why should it? He's tougher than you think."
    "How would you know? But it might work."
    "Then it's a go." The noose tightened. She was caught.
    She nodded.
    "Good." Adam grinned. "Now the way I understand Karen's plan, our courtship needs to be out in the open to be effective. Then when we announce our engagement, Gramps will be more or less prepared."
    "Good luck on that," said Mike. "It has a chance of working, but you'll have to make it